What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gaucherie
Example
Her gaucherie at the dinner party was evident when she spilled wine on the host's dress. [gaucherie: noun]
Example
He felt embarrassed by his gaucherie when he mispronounced the guest's name. [gaucherie: noun]
tactlessness
Example
His tactlessness was evident when he made a joke about her weight. [tactlessness: noun]
Example
She showed her tactlessness by criticizing her friend's parenting skills in front of others. [tactlessness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tactlessness is more commonly used than gaucherie in everyday language. Tactlessness is a more versatile term that covers a wider range of social situations, while gaucherie is less common and often associated with formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gaucherie and tactlessness?
Both gaucherie and tactlessness are formal words that are typically used in written or spoken language in formal or literary contexts. However, tactlessness can also be used in informal or colloquial language to describe social behaviors that are inappropriate or insensitive.